Guard Dog Has an Important Message for MUTTS Fans and Everyone!

Wyatt Ray, our forever Guard Dog, is spotlighted in the November 2023 MUTTS Guard Dog saga happening this month. We are honored.

The legacy of Tripawds Spokesdawg Wyatt Ray Dawg continues. This month as the world watches the heartbreaking saga of Guard Dog unfold in the panels of MUTTS Comics, we are reminded that Wyatt and Guard Dog have so much in common. This series has really hit home for us, and having the Mutts pack share Wyatt’s story today on social media is an incredible honor.

See MUTTS Spotlight Wyatt Ray on Facebook

We want to share MUTTS’ post, fan comments, and Wyatt’s story here for a furever remembrance, and posterity’s sake. Here’s what MUTTS wrote:

Guard Dog
Image © Patrick McDonnell used with permission from MUTTS.

Ode to Guard Dog Wyatt Ray from the Pack at MUTTS

Our friends Jim and Rene Nelson, founders of the nonprofit Tripawds, have dedicated their lives to providing advice and support for amputee pets and their people.

In 2009, their journey connected them with Wyatt Ray, a tripawd “guard dog” who lived the first few months of his life tethered and neglected in a backyard. Excited for attention or eager to escape, his confinement caused the chain to wrap and strangulate his right rear leg. A Tripawds member involved with a local animal rescue helped save Wyatt, who ended up abandoned at a vet clinic. At eight months old, Wyatt joined the Nelsons’ pack.

Jim writes: “Wyatt Ray indirectly showed his love for us, as best as he knew how. Our steadfast German Shepherd was not a cuddler. He didn’t care for hugs, baby talk, or deep eye contact. If he joined us at night, it wasn’t for long. Instead, he preferred to lay at the foot of the bed, always in protection mode and sleeping with one eye open.”

“Protecting the pack was his job, and by doing it well he showed his love. You can’t blame him, really. As a puppy, his first introduction to family life was to stay chained up out back, ignored and starving for attention. And from that early experience, he not only lost his leg, but a level of his trust in the humans around him.”

“It took years for him to regain what was stolen from him at a young age. We cherish memories of those rare occasions when Wyatt felt free enough to let his guard down, and be an ordinary family dog.”

Tripawds Jerry and Wyatt
Tripawds Spokesdawgs Jerry and Wyatt Ray

To read more about Wyatt Ray — and about a special “heart and soul” dog named Jerry, who inspired the Nelsons to start the Tripawds community — check out Jim’s heartfelt essay (written in 2021) on our blog:

One Heart Dog, One ‘Guard Dog’: A Tale of Two Different, Triumphant Tripawds

Comments from Team Tripawds

FROM JIM NELSON:

Thank you for sharing our story! ❤

We’ve known many Tripawds who started life as Guard Dogs. It’s sad how many dogs lose a leg, or their life, due to being tethered and neglected. So watching the Gard Dog story unfold in MUTTS really hits home. Thankfully, there are also good people people who know better.

Wyatt needed an amputation at 8 months old from being chained up as a puppy. We helped him love life on three legs for 12+ years. So there is certainly hope for Guard Dog. But only Patrick knows his fate…which is my reasoning for my quote shared here.

Wyatt Borrego Springs

Tripawds Spokesdawg II Wyatt Ray

FROM @TRIPAWDS:

❤ We can’t thank the pack at MUTTS enough for sharing Wyatt Ray’s story, and the work they’re doing to raise awareness for this important issue. Guard Dog has such a great message to share. It is both heartwrenching and heartwarming to watch his story unfold. Patrick is brilliant, and we’re certain there will be deep meaning behind whatever happens.

Having had the honor and pleasure to meet Patrick, we also know how difficult this story is for him to tell. And you can’t rush greatness. The best thing we can all do is help spread the word. Sharing now with Tripawds fans everywhere…

Patrick McDonnell & Wyatt Ray
Patrick McDonnell & Wyatt Ray

(#Tripawds Spokesdawg II Wyatt Ray meets Patrick at 2009 book signing.)

The Sundog of Our Soul

Remembering the sundog of our soul, one month after we parted ways on the trail with Wyatt Ray Dawg, Tripawd hero.

One month ago today we parted ways temporarily and our hearts broke into pieces. But Wyatt Ray was clearly ready for bigger things. He didn’t waste any time going to the one place where he always wanted to be, in Alaska during winter, racing with his buddies, the Odaroloc Sled Dogs.

A few days after Wyatt transitioned, our friend TC, aka Calpurnia’s mom, sent us this photo of a genuine Alaska sundog. We had never heard of this atmospheric phenomena but now we will never forget it.

Sundog Sled Dog
Wyatt Ray, our forever Sundog in the sky. Photo by TC Wait.

The Sundogs of Alaska

TC explained how she saw Wyatt on the trail.

So, I was out on my first Official sled run of the season now that the swamps have frozen over and we have snow (whole long story there, but for another time, with a bottle of wine). I came around this stand of trees and saw this scene and had to stop and take a photo. It doesn’t show the amazing ice fog that is rising off the swamp in the distance, but do you see it…. the bright sundog right over the team?? Sort of a shimmery rainbow out there saying “HEY GUYS!! COME CHASE ME AND SEE WHERE WE GO!!!” Do you see it?????

Many of the Native cultures here believe that sundogs are friendly spirits. One of our Inupiat musher friends once told me he believed sundogs to be spirits of the dogs from past teams. I gotta think that maybe Wyatt Ray, in all his bright, shimmery glory, did come to play with us after all!

Thinking of you, and remembering a great big goofy dork dog who challenged you and taught you what unconditional love truly is.

Through our many tears of grief, it makes us happy knowing that Wyatt can mush to his hearts content in the wintery days he loved most. Mush on sweet boy.

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Wild Boy, a Wild Life, Always Treasured

Our wild boy’s wild life in pictures; remembering Wyatt Ray Dawg, Tripawd German Shepherd extraordinaire.

Wyatt Ray does not want us to end his blog on a sad note. Our fiery Wild Boy was too full of life to allow that to happen. We have a lot more stories to share about him, which we will get to eventually. For now, here are some fun memories that will live in our hearts forever.

Hold On, the Wild Ride has Arrived

You just don’t know what a dog has in store for you when you lock eyes, do you? We should have known by the size of his paws that he had big plans for us. Wyatt was an energetic three-legged bolt of lightening who came to us on a mission: to teach us patience, for starters.

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Everything about Wyatt, from his coloring to his fearless attitude about life was the polar opposite of his predecessor, Jerry. From the day we became a pack in 2009, Wyatt made it clear he was his own dog.

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He was feisty, stubborn and full of himself. And who can blame him? He had such a rough start in life. Tied up to a tether, ignored as a puppy and being neglected can do that to a dog. Now he was free to live his destiny as a dog who would make his own impact on the world, and he soaked up every minute of it.

We found a trainer who helped us reign his big attitude in… for a little while anyways. We had no idea that we were the ones in need of training.

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Soon, he started training us. “Let’s get one thing straight guys,” he would have told us. “I  not Jerry. Oh and by the way, you are now living in my doghouse on wheels.”

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He was the best road dog. Wyatt loved our nomadic life, and knew how to represent when the occasion called for it. Like when Wyatt visited the Alamo with us. He sensed the importance of that landmark, and carried himself in all his German Shepherd glory.

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He could be at home in the city or in the wild. Of course, the outdoors is where he really shined.

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Wyatt could easily make friends when he was a young pup. Here he is with OG Tripawds member, Max.

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Of course he needed the occasional visit from his Oaktown Pack sister Codie Rae to remind him not to get too full of himself.

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When he met TriPug Maggie at a gathering, our crazy young Wyatt gave her props. He knew a legend was among us.

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He had a goofy side that he rarely revealed to others. Wyatt’s roll overs were a special gift he would share with us only occasionally, as reminders not to take him too seriously. Our serious protector had a soft side that could melt our hearts in a second.

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Most other times he was on red alert, sleeping with one eye open and ready for anything. From the mountains of Colorado  . . .

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Or in the endless canyonlands of New Mexico . . .

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To the Northern California coast where he came into this world . . .

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Wyatt had a way of fitting in with the territory. He did his job as Chief Security Officer so well. He  knew when we needed to be protected. We felt safe with him wherever we went, like to the big bad Las Vegas Strip.

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Those big satellite dish ears of his were always tuned into our surroundings.

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Wyatt also kept us safe from wildlife that would want nothing more than to stomp him. At Jerry’s Acres in Colorado, the moose knew when to stay away.

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With all of those great qualities, it always baffled us why he would sometimes do dumb things, like eat inappropriate objects. Here he is modeling the tailoring job he did on Jim’s denim shorts.

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On rare occasions, Wyatt let his guard down enough to just be a dog. When he spent time with his pals, the Odaroloc Sled Dog team, Wyatt stopped being a working dog and switched to play mode.

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And he could always be counted on to have a good time with Austin Ray, his brother from another mother.

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He worked nonstop to represent Tripawds, never once complained about all the gear and food we brought to him for testing. He seemed to like showing the world that while Tripawds are capable of most anything, it takes hard work to keep up strength and stamina to do it.

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His aging was inevitable. But the puppy spirit inside him never faded. Our boy got older, but he was always young at heart. Setting him free was the hardest thing we ever faced.

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And through it all, he stole our hearts. The last twelve years with Wyatt were filled with unforgettable times and the challenge of learning to accept him for who he was, and what we needed to become in order to be good parents to him.

20150704w_wyattfourth03.jpgWe had it easy with easygoing Jerry. Not so much with Wyatt. He was certainly his own dog and never tolerated living in anyone else’s shadow. We were reminded recently about what a wise Tripawds member once said:

“We don’t get the dog we want, we get the dog we need.”

Apparently Wyatt was just what we needed. We never gave up on him, and he didn’t give up on us. Thank you buddy.

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Thank you for all the crazy times, wild boy. We are grateful for all the crazy, messy, joyful, loud and embarrassing situations we found ourselves in with you.

You had an unconventional way of sharing the wisdom of dogs with us, but we hope you think we did alright in learning from you.

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Life is too quiet and tame now. You are missed more than you’ll ever know.

Let Go. Let Dog.

The time came for my people to Let go and Let Dog. To follow the course of nature, and help me be free of these worn out earth clothes.

I think Humans are part Retriever. They love to go out and play fetch for all kinds of things. Money. Cars. Houses. Cats. Dogs. But when they finally get those things, they sure have a hard time letting go of what they find.

Let Go. Let Dog. Tripawd Tribute to Wyatt Ray Dawg.
The Wild Boy we will always remember.

In 2009 my parents found me and didn’t let go. I was so glad. We hung on together for a wild ride criss-crossing all over the continent in our doghouse on wheels. My life has been everything a dog could want. All along we knew it couldn’t last forever, but we pressed on, ignoring the truth.

Let Go. Let Dog. Tripawd Tribute to Wyatt Ray Dawg.
What a long strange trip it was.

Earlier this year, I tried to prepare my humans that it would soon be time to let go of me. I slowed down. All those daily physical therapy exercises weren’t doing what they used to. I got weak.

Yeah, it’s hard to believe, I know. How does a loud, rowdy punk rock dog like me get old and wear out? My people tried so hard to not let it happen. We followed canine rehab therapists advice my whole life. My coaches worked me hard. I never got a pawliday from fitness!

Let Go. Let Dog. Tripawd Tribute to Wyatt Ray Dawg.
Work. Work. Work. That’s me.

But twelve years went by, and then it happened. Nature bats last as they say.

A couple of months ago I knew it was time to ditch these earth clothes of mine. They served their purpose, and I looked great wearing them didn’t I? My people felt sad there were no miracles left for this geriatric Tripawd dog.

German Shepherd Senior Tripawd
Forever a wild boy.

I held out as long as I could, until I could not. Last week I spoke to Mom, and I spoke to Dad. I showed them I needed to move on. And after lots of tears and talking, they agreed.

It was time for them to let go. It was time to let dog.

And so they did. Yesterday on November 10, they helped me hop out of my achy old bones. While stuffing my face with hot dogs and Auntie Carla’s Cosmic Cookies, I bowed out of this earthly dimension and barked my way to the Rainbow Bridge.

Let Go. Let Dog. I. Am. Free.

Please don’t be sad for me. Listen here people. I’m gone from the earth, but not from the heavens and definitely not from your hearts. Listen for my bark. I’m always by your side Tripawds friends.

Let Go. Let Dog.
Wyatt Ray Dawg. 01/03/09 – 11/10/20

Please join us for a live video tribute call to celebrate the life of Wyatt Ray Dawg and all our tripawd angels

Tripawds founders Rene & Jim invite you to a scheduled Zoom meeting:
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
12:00 Noon PST (3:00 Eastern)

Topic: Tribute to our Three Legged Angel Wyatt Ray and
All Our Tripawd Angels at the Bridge

Join Zoom Meeting Here at 12:00 Noon 11/17/20
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9164131725

Meeting ID: 916 413 1725
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Tripawd Working Dog Asks, “Dude, Where’s My Couch?”

A Tripawd working dog needs his couch after a long day on the ranch, but his dad had other plans.

I don’t know why humans do the things they do. Take for example, my Dad’s latest project: building a desk for himself.

“Dad, what happened to my couch?”

Before we got to the ranch for summer, me and him used to sit on my couch during the day. I was hoppy to share it. He would bang on his computer machine, and I would snooze. Or, when my friend Austin visited, we took over my couch and Dad got to sit at the kitchen table.

Tripawd Couch Dogs
“Guess we’ll have to crash at your house now, Austin.”

But every day Dad would say “Ouch” “Ugh” “Grr” when he would stand up after working all day. Mom said “It’s your back. You need a real desk for work.”

Then after one back ache too many, Dad got mad at the couch desk. So he tore it out. And then I knew we were in trouble.

Tripawd Work Dog
“Uh dad, are you building me a new couch?”

It didn’t take him very long to build his desk. And everyone thinks it’s great. But I sure don’t. No more couch for me.

Tripawd Work Dog
Where do I sleep now?

That’s OK though. A Tripawd working dog like me has plenty of other things to do around here. Like help Dad at his other job on the ranch.

Tripawd Ranch Dog
“Hey Dad, remember, safety first!”

Or just watch the office with mom.

Tripawd Office Dog
“But Mom, why do you gotta go to work?”

That’s my life as a Tripawd working dog. But it’s not all work and no play. Wanna see what else I’ve been up to this summer on the ranch? I knew you did!